Cholesterol and Diet

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in the walls of cells in all parts of the body, from the nervous system to the liver to the heart. The body uses cholesterol to make hormones, bile acids, vitamin D, and other substances.

The body makes all the cholesterol it needs. Cholesterol circulates in the bloodstream but cannot travel by itself. As with oil and water, cholesterol (which is fatty) and blood (which is watery) do not mix. So cholesterol travels in packages called lipoproteins, which have fat (lipid) inside and protein outside.

The two main types of Lipoproteins are: ■ Low density lipoprotein, or LDL, which also is called the “bad” cholesterol because it carries cholesterol to tissues, including the arteries. Most of the cholesterol in the blood is in LDL form. The higher the level of LDL cholesterol in the blood, the greater your risk for heart disease.

■ High density lipoprotein, or HDL, which also is called the “good” cholesterol because it takes cholesterol from tissues to the liver, which removes it from the body. A low level of HDL cholesterol increases your risk for heart disease.

Triglycerides, which are produced in the liver, are another type of fat found in the blood and in food. Causes of raised triglycerides are obesity, physical inactivity, cigarette smoking, excess alcohol intake, and a diet very high in carbohydrates(60 percent of calories or higher).

Recent research indicates that triglyceride levels that are borderline high (150–199 mg/dL), high (200–499 mg/dL) may increase your risk for heart disease.

Food Sources – Healthful Tips

Limit saturated fats under 7% of your total calorie intake and keep trans-fat intake to 0.